Since 1 March, Steffen Heizmann is the CEO of the Berlin-based Heinrich Böll Foundation. Prior to that, Heizmann, a political scientist by training, was director of the Foundation‛s International Division.
Before joining the Foundation, he held a number of positions at the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit GTZ (a precursor of the German Corporation for International Cooperation, GIZ), and he worked as a political and communications consultant. Consequently, Steffen Heizmann has long-standing experience in strategic political consulting and regarding senior management processes.
Between 1996 and 1999, he worked as research associate for a member of the German parliament, and between 1999 and 2004 Steffen Heizmann was employed by the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, first as desk officer in the department for parliamentary and cabinet matters, and subsequently as director of the Berlin-based office of the Parliamentary Secretary of State.
In 2004, he became Senior Political Advisor to the G8 Africa Personal Representative to the Federal Chancellor, German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.
Between 2007 and 2009, he worked as a consultant, developing policy and communication concepts and strategies for various clients such as the BMZ, GTZ, as well as private sector companies.